Buddhism Beliefs

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1. Buddhism originated in India, and largely originates from the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, known as Buddha, which means "the awakened one".
   
   
2. Buddhists recognize Buddha as enlightened teacher who taught how to end suffering (dukkha), and end the cessation of suffering to reach the sublime state of nirvana.
   
   
3. Nirvana can be achieved by the elimination of ignorance (avidya), by understanding (pratityasamutpada), and the elimination of desire (tanha).
   
   
4. The three core beliefs shared by almost all Buddhists, known as the "Three Jewels" are: the Buddha, the Dharma (the teachings), and the Sangha (the community).
   
   
5. There are are various different schools of Buddhism, which differ in the specifics of the path to liberation, the canonicity of various teachings and scriptures, and in other aspects of practising the religion.
   
   
6. The two main schools of Buddhism are Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism. Although there are significant differences between the two schools, adherents of both major schools of Buddhism accept the following common elements:
   
   
   • Both schools accept Buddha as their teacher.
     
     
   • Both schools accept that both members of the laity and the sangha (monastic communities) can puruse the path towards enlightenment (bodhi).
     
     
   • Both schools consider buddhahood as the highest possible attainment.
     
     
   • Both schools accept the middle way (the term used by Siddhartha Gautama to describe the path which leads to liberation)
     
     
   • Both schools accept dependent orgination (that all things arise in dependence on multiple causes and conditions)
     
     
   • Both schools accept the four noble truths (the truth of suffering (dukkha), the truth of the origin of dukkha, the truth of the cessation of dukkha, and the truth of the path leading the cessation of dukkha).
     
     
   • Both schools accept the noble eightfold path (the eight elements of the path leading to the cessation of dukkha - sometimes represented by the eight-spoked dharma wheel (dharmachakra)).
     
     
   • Both schools accept the three marks of existence (the three marks of existence shared by all sentient beings - impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha), and non-self (anatta).

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